3 weeks agoThe Los Angeles Dodgers are exercising their 2025 club option on catcher
Austin Barnes, according to Robert Murray of FanSided. In his tenth season as a Los Angeles Dodger, Barnes posted a .264/.331/.307 slash line with one home run, 11 RBI, and three stolen bases in 54 games, serving as the clear backup to
Will Smith. Fantasy managers should expect the 34-year-old to return to a similar role in the 2025 campaign. Barnes should not be on your fantasy radar heading into the offseason due to his sparse playing time and limited offensive output throughout his MLB career.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Robert Murray
3 weeks agoRelief pitcher
David Robertson did not exercise his mutual team option with the Texas Rangers for the 2025 season and will instead test free agency, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. The 39-year-old enjoyed another excellent campaign, posting a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, with a 27:99 BB:K ratio in 72 innings of work. He tallied two saves and 35 holds, serving as the primary eighth-inning option in Texas. Robertson was able to generate ground balls at an above-average 47.0% mark and induce soft contact with a strong 5.5% barrel rate. Robertson will likely be a top target for fantasy managers in holds leagues in 2025 and could be in the mix for save opportunities, depending on his situation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Kennedi Landry
3 weeks agoThe San Francisco Giants exercised their 2025 club option on infielder
Wilmer Flores, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. The 33-year-old appeared in only 71 games this past season before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Flores hit for a mere .207/.277/.318 line with just four home runs and 12 doubles. Under the hood, he posted a poor 27.6% hard-hit rate and 5.9% barrel rate. However, he did show a strong eye at the plate with a stellar 13.6% K rate and 13.9% whiff rate, which were among the highest marks last season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during Spring Training as Flores may miss some time early on in the season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Andrew Baggarly
3 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers traded infielder
Owen Miller to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations, according to Patrick Lyons of Just BB Media. The 27-year-old made just 14 appearances in the big leagues last season and held an underwhelming .185/185/.222 slash line with one extra-base hit and three RBI. Miller spent most of the campaign playing in Triple-A and performed quite well with a .276/.354/.392 line with 18 doubles, five home runs, 37 RBI, and nine swiped bags. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress throughout Spring Training as the former third-round selection could find a stable role in the Colorado lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Patrick Lyons
3 weeks agoThe Arizona Diamondbacks exercised their 2025 club option on starting pitcher
Merrill Kelly, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. The 36-year-old made only 13 starts this season after sitting out for an extended period with a shoulder injury. He logged 73 2/3 innings of work with a 4.03 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 19:63 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, he carried a poor 4.93 xERA and .266 xBA, which were among the worst marks among qualified pitchers. In addition, he posted a below-average 40.9% hard-hit rate and a 10.7% barrel rate. Fantasy managers should expect the right-hander to remain in the Arizona rotation through the entire 2025 season and be a stable low-end starter to target late in drafts.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoThe Baltimore Orioles are declining their 2025 option on designated hitter
Eloy Jimenez. Baltimore traded for the 27-year-old at the trade deadline and posted an underwhelming .232/.270/.336 line through his small stint with the Orioles. During the first half of the season in Chicago, Jimenez posted a low .240/.297/.345 slash line. This was the worst campaign of his six-year MLB career. Even though he held a strong 49.0% hard-hit rate, he could not generate much offense from it with a poor 25.1% LA Sweet-Spot%. In addition, he carried a low 6.3% walk rate and a high 33.0% chase rate, which lowered his value in points leagues. Fantasy managers should view Jimenez as a high-risk option for power later in drafts this upcoming season.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jake Rill
3 weeks agoArizona Diamondbacks designated hitter
Joc Pederson has declined the end of his mutual option and will test free agency, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The 32-year-old slugger enjoyed a fantastic season in the desert in 2024, posting a career-best .275/.393/.515 slash line with 23 home runs and 64 RBI. Even though Pederson was in a strict platoon, he was still a valuable fantasy contributor during the entire season. He boasted a stellar 12.8% barrel rate and 46.2% hard-hit rate under the hood. Fantasy managers should expect Pederson to continue to be deployed on the strong side of a platoon in 2025, but he should still be a popular target for power, given his excellent underlying metrics.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jesse Rogers
3 weeks agoThe New York Yankees are declining their 2025 club option on first baseman
Anthony Rizzo. Rizzo had one of the worst seasons of his career this summer as he posted an underwhelming .228/.301/.335 line with eight home runs, 35 RBI, with a 27:65 BB:K ratio. Under the hood, Rizzo saw his metrics dropped to career lows with a 33.2% hard-hit rate and a mere .239 xBA. In addition, since hitting 32 home runs in 2022, Rizzo has hit just 20 long balls over the past two summers with a season-low of eight in 2024. Fantasy managers should expect the former World Series Champion to find a new home in 2025, but he is best left for deeper formats, given his sharp decline.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: New York Yankees
3 weeks agoThe Milwaukee Brewers will be picking up their 2025 club option on starting pitcher
Freddy Peralta, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. The 28-year-old operated as the ace of the Milwaukee rotation in 2024 and held a 3.68 ERA and 1.21 WHIP, with a 68:200 BB:K ratio across 173 2/3 frames of work. Under the hood, the right-hander boasted a solid 36.9% hard-hit rate and a 27.6% K rate. However, he held a below-average 8.7% barrel rate and a 37.4% ground-ball rate. Fantasy managers should expect Peralta to continue to operate as the lead of the Milwaukee rotation and be a safe bet to improve your WHIP ratio as he sits with a strong career 1.15 WHIP.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoAccording to Dennis Lin of The Athletic, San Diego Padres shortstop
Ha-Seong Kim has declined his mutual option with the team and will enter free agency. The infielder ended his campaign early after suffering a shoulder injury in August, which caused him to undergo surgery in October. Through 121 games this season, the 29-year-old held a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 home runs, 47 RBI, and 22 stolen bases. He showed a great eye at the plate with a 12.3% walk rate, which is one of the best marks in the sport among qualified hitters. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during the offseason as he will likely miss time during the start of the 2025 campaign due to the shoulder surgery. Fantasy managers should view him as a safe option for speed with excellent on-base skills.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Dennis Lin
3 weeks agoThe Chicago Cubs declined their 2025 club option on left-handed pitcher
Drew Smyly, according to Jon Heyman of the NY Post. Smyly operated exclusively out of the bullpen last summer and held a modest 3.84 ERA and 1.40 WHIP, with a 25:56 BB:K ratio across 58 2/3 innings of work. This was a significant improvement over the 5.00 ERA and 1.43 WHIP he held during the 2023 campaign. Fantasy managers should expect Smyly to continue to serve as a long-relief option or an occasional starter if he decides to continue his major league career this upcoming season. However, with his lack of upside, he should be left off of your fantasy radar.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoSan Francisco Giants starting pitcher
Robbie Ray did not exercise his player option with the San Francisco Giants and will remain with the team. Ray has two years and $50 million remaining on his contract, keeping him a Giant through 2026. The lefty will look to bounce back in 2025 after two injury-riddled seasons have held back the former Cy Young winner. In his first year with the Giants Ray posted a 4.70 ERA in seven starts. His first start didn't come until after the All-Star break as he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Ray's last start was shortened due to a hamstring injury. The lefty is in a spot where he needs to get himself back to normal form before he can expect another big payday. Fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for the lefty going forward given his recent injury issues as he may be well beyond his prime at this point in his career.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jeff Passan
3 weeks agoThe New York Yankees are expected to pursue
Pete Alonso as a backup plan to any
Juan Soto fallout during the offseason, according to Jon Heyman. After declining a $17 million option for first baseman
Anthony Rizzo, the Yankees are aiming to save money for a big free-agent signing. Alonso is expected to be the prime backup option if Soto chooses not to re-sign with the Yankees. The 29-year-old will be one of the hottest names on the free-agent market this season after posting yet another solid season at the plate with a 123 OPS+ and 34 home runs. Fantasy managers should continue to target Alonso in drafts regardless of where he lands, as his xwOBA of .345 -- ranking in the 79th percentile in 2024 -- should translate to offensive success regardless of where he lands.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoNew York Mets starting pitcher
Sean Manaea opted out of his contract with the Mets on Saturday and is now a free agent. Manaea had one year and $13.5 million remaining on his contract and is clearly eyeing a bigger payday after a resurgent second half of the season fueled by tweaks to his mechanics. The lefty posted a 3.47 ERA in 2024, his best ERA in a season with 10 or more games started. The lefty will certainly be in demand on the free agent market after his second half success transferred to the postseason. Fantasy managers should expect similar results in 2025 with slight negative regression coming as his 3.47 ERA was buoyed by a 3.75 xERA.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Jon Heyman
3 weeks agoChicago Cubs first baseman and outfielder
Cody Bellinger picked up his $27.5 million player option with Chicago on Saturday. He will not become a free agent this offseason and still has one player option remaining on his contract for 2026. Bellinger originally signed a three-year $80 million deal with the Cubs last offseason after flourishing during a "prove it" contract for the 2023 season. The lefty's second season with Chicago was less impressive, though he still posted a strong 111 OPS+. The 29-year-old's expected stats show a bit more concern, though, as his xwOBA for 2024 ranked in just the 32nd percentile. Dynasty managers may not want to make any moves quite yet, but they should certainly keep a close eye on Bellinger's production and temper expectations.
--Kevin Larson - RotoBallerSource: Kiley McDaniel
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